Defensive Driving vs Deferred Adjudication

Defensive Driving | Traffic School | Driving Improvement

Speeding Ticket Diversion Cost vs Defensive Driving

*Example: Defensive Driving Course Court Fees:

Costs and Fees to the Court – Moving Violation: $114.10

Costs and Fees to the Court -School Zone Moving Violation: $139.10

Cost of Deferred Adjudication is MUCH Higher in Most Courts

*Example: Deferred Adjudication Court Fees:

Copy of Drivers License (CDL holders are not eligible)
Copy of current proof of vehicle insurance
Payment of bond in the amount of:
- $243.90 for each non-accident traffic case
- $258.90 for each non-accident speeding of 14 miles or less than the posted speed limit
- $288.90 for each non-accident speeding of 15 miles to 25 miles over the posted speed limit
- $283.90 for each non-accident school zone case
- $308.90 for each accident case
- The judge will review your driving history and deferred disposition will only be granted at the discretion of the reviewing judge.

Defensive Driving Online

Defensive Driving is available online for traffic ticket recipients (citations, infractions) for court dismissal, court fine diversion, deferred adjudication and driver points reduction and removal. Many states allow drivers to take the defensive driving courses to deduct assessed driver points from their driving records though their DMV with completion of defensive driving.

Defensive Driving Courses for Auto Insurance Discounts

The most common value of taking an online Defensive Driving course is for licensed drivers of all ages the ability to get a discounted rate from their auto insurance policy. Most common auto insurance companies offer a discount after completion of an approved defensive driving course, either in-person or the online versions.

A ValuePenguin article states that many insurance companies provide discounts to drivers who take defensive driving classes, and the discounts typically range from 5% to 20% off your existing car insurance premium.

WalletHub has a reference article, as well as Nasdaq also.

Senior Drivers Age 55+ Online Driving Courses for Auto Insurance Discounts

Seasoned drivers (aka Senior or Mature Drivers) may commonly take a senior-specific Mature Driver Improvement course for an auto insurance discount. Many states even mandate that auto insurance providers issue a discount for their senior drivers who complete the course. Some states refer to these courses as Accident Prevention, Crash Prevention or Collision Prevention.

According to USA Today, 34 states, in addition to Washington D.C., that mandate a discount for safe-driving classes are: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Of those 34 states, 23 and the District of Columbia mandate a discount for online versions of state-approved classes. The 23 states are: Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.

Defensive Driving is sometimes referred to as Driver improvement, Traffic school, Traffic Safety, Driving Safety, Safe-Driver Program, BDI (Basic Driver Improvement) BDIC (Basic Driver Improvement Course), etc. Florida and Michigan frequently refer to the programs as BDI or BDIC. In addition to BDIC or BDI, Florida also recognizes IDI or Intermediate Driver Improvement and an ADI (Advanced or Aggressive Driver Improvement) for for repeat or driving infractions. The state of Delaware also refers some drivers in their state for seek the Aggressive course. It defines aggressive driving as the occurrence of three or more specific illegal actions from a single continuous incident. In addition, a violator must complete an approved course addressing behavior modification or attitudinal driving.